Back to Birding (Sort Of)

 It.Has.Been.A.While.

The last time I wrote for my blog was over a year ago! But I'm brushing off the virtual cobwebs on this blog and reviving it to document my return to the world of birding - sort of. And nothing so dramatic.

Mask On! Birding in the new normal.

Recently, I've been volunteering again for the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) in guiding first time birdwatchers. I have to say that the few times I've gone out was truly refreshing! I surely felt rusty but happy to know that it all kind of comes back as the day goes on. I know I still have to get back into the groove though. 

Case in point: before starting the trip, I put on my binoculars over my head, hook my camera over one shoulder, and sling a reusable bag with my field guide and other stuff over the other shoulder only to end up just using my bins and the field guide occasionally. 

Me giving an intro to birding with all my "gear" on me

Another example: using the scope quick! I really have to relearn the skill of using the spotting scope, more urgently when there is a group kids eagerly awaiting to peek through to see a bird!!! Talk about pressure! Thankfully, birds have been cooperative during the times I've volunteered, staying put long enough to be put on the scope. 

I'm slowly reacquainting myself with neighborhood birding sites. These were the areas I birded in when I was a new birder years ago, practicing using my bins and ID skills. It's nice to know that birds still thrive in these places, even though the landscapes have changed over the years.

Birding in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

Strange, but I have developed this urge to rush through things and get things done as quick as possible. I have to remind myself to SLOW DOWN, to breathe easy (through my mask), and to allow myself to relax and enjoy the few hours birding. 

It has also become my "alone time" or my "me time" even if I am with a group of people. I dunno, it's hard to explain. But it's the time I get to do my own thing on my own, and for this I am truly grateful. It has done wonders for my mental health.

I have yet to really get back into birding and using my camera. It's debut was thwarted by the pandemic and we have yet to warm up to each other. But for now, I am really thankful for the small pockets of birding time I get and meeting new people (and children!) eager to see more birds. Sort of like a slow stretch after a long time of stagnation.

Hopefully, I will have more to write about soon. For now, I will ease back into the "game" slowly but surely. And no, my boy Elias won't be joining me yet... he'll drive away all the birds!!!

Getting My Birding Juju Back

It has been a while since I last blogged mainly because it has been a while since I was out in the field. I guess the horrible experience of seeing a Colasisi die made me a bit hesitant to go out again. I even feared for the pair of Pied Fantails in our front yard when I saw some of the neighborhood kids pay attention to it. They disappeared that afternoon and I could feel a sense of foreboding creeping in. Thankfully, they returned the next morning =)

I have gone out on short trips with Jops and some of our friends, but there was still a sense of negativity and expectation of something bad to happen. I guess due to that bad juju, I didn't get to see much birds on those trips.

Fast forward to last Sunday. The WBCP partnered with the Philippine Eagle Foundation and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR) to celebrate the 16th Philippine Eagle Week.

The tent area for the event

Jops and I signed up to be volunteer guides for the bird walks in the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and for the first time in a long while, I was excited to bird. =)

Spotting some Philippine Pied Fantails

It wasn't as birdy as we would have wanted it to be but I really enjoyed the morning bird walk. Even if we didn't see many species, it was refreshing to see the delighted expressions of the brand new birders as they discover new birds in the city. And since birds were few and far between, even the Yellow-vented Bulbuls were a source of excitement when they did finally show.

After the bird walk, we were able to attend the morning lectures and listen to friends share their experience seeing the Philippine Eagle. It was very nice to hear them reliving their experiences, as if they were bringing us back with them to the time they saw the eagle.

Ixi shared her Philippine Eagle experience in Davao

Arnel shared his Philippine Eagle experience in Zamboanga

Listening to their amazing stories made me think when will Jops and I get to have our own Philippine Eagle experience. Soon, hopefully. GAME! =)

After the lectures, we went outside to help in the activity booths. There was coloring, sticker tattoos, and origami for the kids who dropped by the tents while a tree walk and a tour of the rescue center was ongoing.

Bird origami

The coloring booth with naughty boys and
prim and proper girls =P

As always, I enjoyed chatting with the kids, answering their questions and trying to teach them about caring for birds and the environment. And then it was time for lunch!

The birders had a fun picnic lunch under the trees, chatting and laughing and getting distracted by a Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker who decided to perch low and very near us while we were all eating.

Picnic time!
Photo by Jops

The afternoon was also filled with activities: lectures, a raptor tour, and another bird walk. While waiting for the 4pm bird walk, I sat again at the coloring booth and spent some time with a group of kids.

The afternoon bird walk wasn't any birdier than the morning walk but we did see a different set of birds. The Striated Herons and Common Moorhens were out in the pond giving even the kids good views through the scope.

As we ended the day, I was tired but at the same time recharged. It wasn't a hard core birding trip, but it was more than enough to get my birding juju back! On to the next adventure!